German president to lead memorial service to stabbing victims

week after a deadly knife attack at a city festival shook Germany , members of the public and national political leaders plan to gather on Sunday to mourn the victims . Three visitors to a festival celebrating the western city of Solingen ' s 650th anniversary were stabbed to death and eight others were injured . A 26 - year - old Syrian man who was living in a nearby refugee residence was arrested in the wake of the August 23 rampage . He is being held on suspicion of murder , suspected membership in the Islamic State terror group and other charges . President Frank - Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz are among those set to attend the memorial service in the city ' s performing arts theatre . Both are to meet with relatives , victims , emergency service workers and residents before Steinmeier delivers a speech at the service . A wreath - laying ceremony and moment of silence is also planned at the site of the attack on Solingen ' s market square . The Islamic State terrorist group said it was re sponsible for the crime , although German authorities are still investigating the credibility of the claim . The suspected attacker is believed to have evaded a deportation order in Germany , something that has helped fuel a bitter debate in the country over asylum and migration policy . Chancellor Olaf Scholz ' s government proposed stricter rules on weapons , tight new limits on benefits for asylum seekers and greater police powers to address suspected Islamist threats in the wake of the attack . dpa xxde cd sdl wjh Source: The Namibia News Agency